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"There was 25 of us. It was good to catch up with the Kiwi brothers and it was just going over the back end of the year and what it is going to take to get back into that jersey."

Waerea-Hargreaves has just three weeks left to stamp his case starting with this Sunday's game against the Dragons, where he lines up against fellow Kiwi front-row contender Russell Packer.

"I have played with, against and actually caught up with him last week," Waerea-Hargreaves said of Packer. "He is a good guy.

"I have roomed with him in the past in the Kiwis camp."

Other contenders to partner Jesse Bromwich in the middle include Adam Blair, Sam Moa, Ben Matulino and Martin Taupau.

Waerea-Hargreaves probably would have got a call-up last year for the series against England but missed the tour after suffering a knee injury late in the season.

So far this year he has only played a total of 11 games.

But he held his own against Kangaroos props Matt Scott and James Tamou last Sunday in the win over North Queensland.

Returning from a two-week lay off, Waerea-Hargreaves led from the front as the Roosters pack overpowered the heavyweight reigning premiers.

Aside from his personal ambitions to make the Kiwi squad, he said the remaining games against St George Illawarra, Cronulla and Brisbane was also a good chance for the Roosters to finish the year on a high.

"It is just good to be back on the field and hopefully I can finish off on a positive note.

"When I was out there (against the Cowboys) it just felt like us. It is who we were out on that field.

"For these young guys to get a taste of the style of footy we play, it is just going to benefit them in the long run and benefit the team."